Become a Personal Trainer in Arizona - AZ

Option One – Quick Certification
There are a number of programs that can be completed in days or weeks, an option that is appealing to a wide range of people. This path is great for recent graduates who can’t take on any new debt, veterans, stay-at-home parents wanting to pick up some part-time work without investing in more education, and people who already have a strong commitment to fitness and health. In short, this is a good choice for people who want to launch their career in personal training almost immediately.

Perhaps the biggest source of basic and specialized personal training certification in Arizona is available through training programs offered by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (www.afaa.com). They are short, inexpensive (about $500), and can prepare trainers for the exam they’ll need to pass to become certified. A list of certification workshops and locations can be found at: www.afaa.com/302.afa.

Option Two – Traditional Education Programs
Arizona has a number of fine colleges and universities but it also boasts many smaller technical schools and wellness institutes that provide more intensive training. These programs range from four months to 500 hours of classroom and hands-on training, and many include a range of traditional specialties like sports medicine and massage therapy and ones that reflect Arizona’s openness to alternative and holistic methods such as yoga and organic nutrition. As is always the case, any additional specialty you can obtain will give you the edge in this tight job market. Additional credentials will allow you to charge your clients more or, if you seek employment at a club, resort, or hotel, you will have the power to negotiate higher salaries.

Getting Certified
As noted earlier, it is important to have a goal in mind before beginning any online or campus-based Arizona personal trainer certification program. Know your destination and choose the certification required for that route. For example, if you know the resort you want to work at only hires NPTI certified trainers with 500 hours of training under their belts, don’t take a course that prepares you for the ACE certification exam only. Also know that sometimes spending more doesn’t necessarily make you more prepared or reward you with a more prestigious certification.